Toronto set for July 6 fireworks

June 25, 2013

TORONTO -The city's upcoming fireworks display July 6 at the high school football stadium was discussed during Monday's City Council meeting.

Mayor John Geddis said Tom Graham, Jefferson County commissioner, was going to act as master of ceremonies for the event, which will begin with a pre-fireworks show at 8 p.m.

"It's going to be a little different this year," said the mayor, adding donations for the show have been good. "We're not trying to compete with other (shows.) We just want to have the the best show we can."

Geddis said the show would begin with the Tri-State Community Band followed by the Original Fantasy's at 9 p.m.

This year's theme is "Classical Thunder," and music to the fireworks display will include classical Music such as "The William Tell Overture" and "Symphony No. 9," according to R.J. Swatter, Toronto Fourth of July Committee chairman.

"We will cap the evening off with an outstanding fireworks show including more than 5,000 fireworks from Pyrotecnico at 10 p.m.," said Swatter in a letter to the mayor.

Geddis said there will be bleacher seating available for VIPs as well as lawn chair and blanket seating on the track and the edge of the field. He added there would be vendors at the event .

"We're looking for quite a few people (at the show)," said the mayor. "It all depends on the weather."

Stewart and the mayor thanked all those involved and who have donated for the event.

In other matters:

The mayor reminded residents there is a city ordinance related to grass clippings on city streets. He added city sewers sometimes are clogged by residents mowing and then depositing the clippings on city streets.

"There is an ordinance, and there is a fine attached to that," he said.

There was a discussion on nonworking automobiles on city streets, and the mayor said City Police were giving residents notice city ordinances require vehicles on city streets to be in working order.

"We'll give (owners) 30 days (to get them off the street)," said Geddis. "They will then be tagged and moved out of there."

Council also discussed other dilapidated structures and illegal dumps in the city. Geddis said the city is moving to condemn and demolish four abandoned city residences sometime this summer.

Geddis said Columbia Gas Co. had contracted with another company to eliminate gas lines to 30 properties throughout the city.